This week is endometriosis awareness week. The condition affects two million women nationwide, but many go undiagnosed because they do not know what it is. Reporter Jessica Williams talks to a long-term sufferer who had to wait more than 15 years for the treatment that has changed her life

LECTURER Fiona Tweed was in her mid-20s when the first symptoms of endometriosis appeared.

The Staffordshire University professor started to experience irregular periods and intense pelvic pains and stomach cramps.

Endometriosis, which can affect fertility, causes pieces of the womb lining to stick to other parts of the body, such as the ovaries or bladder.

The 44-year-old geography specialist, who undertook fieldwork in remote, mountainous locations, said: "I tried to get on with life as best I could, but sometimes the travel and physical exertion took it out of me.

"The pain was sometimes so intense that I was unable to move."

Eventually, in 2004, Professor Tweed, of Beech Grove, May Bank, was given a kidney and bladder scan.

She said: "It identified a large fluid-filled cyst and two smaller endometriosis.

"I had no idea how long my insides had been in this state.

"I had to give up my fieldwork as I was told that if one of the cysts burst and I was in a remote location, I could bleed to death."

Professor Tweed was given injections which brought on a temporary menopause in a bid to shrink the endometriosis.

But this had little effect and resulted in mood swings, night sweats, sleeplessness and raised blood pressure.

She was then transferred to consultant gynaecologist Chris Mann at the Birmingham Women's Hospital and underwent removal of the endometriosis, as well as scar tissue and her left fallopian tube, in 2006.

Professor Tweed said: "I was able to return home after less than two days in hospital and I ran three miles eight weeks after the operation."

Professor Tweed had the operation two years ago and has been fine until recently.

She still sees Mr Mann for consultations at a new endometriosis clinic at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.

She said: "I'm unsure whether my endometriosis is making a return.

"If it is, at least I know that Chris has the expertise to deal with it.

"I have been told there is no reason why I can't have children."

Professor Tweed said she wanted to speak out because of the stigma surrounding endometriosis.

She said: "It is often dismissed as 'women's problems'. It affects self-esteem and confidence so it is important that family, friends and work colleagues are sympathetic."

Shaughn O'Brien, professor in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, said the condition was very common.

He said: "It is a major cause of infertility and pain and discomfort. At least four women who come to my weekly surgeries have it.

"It can result in lots of hormonal treatment and lots of surgery.

"Treatment can involve removal of the womb and ovaries but this is drastic."

Jeremy Payne, chief executive of national charity Endometriosis UK, said: "It is vital to raise awareness of endometriosis so that women no longer have to suffer in silence and isolation.

"It's also vital to work with healthcare professionals to reduce the current 11-year wait to receive a correct diagnosis."

To contact charity Endometriosis UK, call 0808 808 2227.